Put Her On Discipline

“Can I put her on discipline?” the what seemed to be a very
upset unit deputy asked over the phone.

This particular female inmate was just seen that morning by
the doctor. Complaining of mostly chest pain. Sometimes kidney problems. All
tests were done. Everything came back normal. I just dropped my transparent bag
on a counter to start my shift when I picked up that phone call. The deputy was
asking if it was okay for her to send the same inmate to be seen for chest
pain. If nothing could be found, she wanted to put her on discipline for faking
her medical emergency. I could see her point. The inmate’s actions/demands were
wearing down everyone. Custody and medical staff.

“I’ll call you back. Let me review her records,” I promised.

Flipping the thickening pages of notes from different
disciplines, I noticed she came if not daily, at least every other day. She was
even sent to the hospital. Nothing of significance in her heart was found. A
one-liner stood out among those thousands of words written about her:

“Patient requesting for Norco.”

Norco. A controlled substance. She had a past habit of using
Meth. And the doctor did not grant her request during that morning’s sick call.
I knew then why she was coming back. To try to get that Norco to replace the
Meth habit she had.

Her face was about to cry when someone let her in. Her head
always turned towards the glass window so she could observe what the staff was
doing and possibly hear everything. I was observing her from the distance the
whole time. Without her being aware of my prying eyes.

I let her in through the 2nd metal door to get
her vital signs. They were all normal.

I looked at her, trying not to become tainted with my own
personal opinion.

“You came here, complaining of chest pain and you have time
to worry over your dinner?” I asked.

She didn’t know what to say. She knew I caught her that her
pain must not be real.

“I’m gonna’ keep you so we can observe you. Here’s a cup of
water so you can drink water,” I uttered.

She was one step closer to being out to the waiting area
when I stopped her on her tracks. I knew this behavior had to stop. There was
just that much anyone could do for her symptoms. But if the roots of her
problem were not addressed, she would probably return thousands of times.

“C’mon. Everything was okay this whole time. Your tests were
all normal. Your heart’s arteries were all clear. What is it that bothers you
that you think is causing your chest pain?” I asked that made her eyes bigger.

“Any problem?” I added with a long pause after where she
could fill in.

“Ma’am, my cellie…(cellmate). I don’t get along with her.”

“I can’t help you be moved but at least I could try if you
let me tell your deputy about your problem?”

“You can…But she’ll put me on discipline.”

“Well, then you know you are going to be punished anyway.
Even now, there is no reason for you to be seen here. We are not denying to
treat you. But only if your symptoms are real! For there are consequences if
you are lying.”

She cried and wailed down on the floor next minute. Other
times, standing up just observing the nurses and the activity in the Infirmary.
I yelled at her with authority and told her to sit down because if she was
having chest pain, I didn’t want her to fall. She stared on the tv. She bowed
her head. She cried a few times. A few more tears fallen without getting any
attention. She pounded softly on the window.

“Ma’am…I’m not having pain now. Can you just send me back to
my unit?” She begged. She knew she wasn’t going to win. But in that loss, her
transformation could begin.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” she softly added as I gave her yellow
pass so she could go back to her unit. She knew segregation awaited her.

“Deputy, this is Nurse Rcubes…After all that had happened
here during my sick call with her, go ahead…”

“Put her on discipline…”

And it was tough on me. To do that. Because she lived a life
of being a victim. But it was necessary. So she could try to emerge as a
victor. She wouldn’t understand why but how could she find out if no one
addressed her issues?

We are all victims called by God to have a new life. A new
life because of what Jesus did. And we have that task of helping others to be
reconciled with God. When we minister to others, I believe it’s important to
identify the roots of the problem before one is able to get out of bondage. And
God has already provided everything we need to help others be reconciled with
Him: His Armor, His Word and prayers. Glory be to You oh Lord!

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We
capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things
of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds
on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death,
but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.- Romans 8:5-6 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern
what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of
marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.- Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is
no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted
by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has
appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a
terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one
who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his
approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant
of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but
also for the sake of conscience. ...-Romans 13:1-6 (ESV)

"...she lived a life of being a victim. But it was necessary. So she could try to emerge as a victor." ....a wise and gentle decision you made in her behalf!

"When we minister to others, I believe it’s important to identify the roots of the problem before one is able to get out of bondage." ....agreed! identifying the roots comes with wisdom. scripture says in James 1:5.. " If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I can tell you ask often :)

prayerfully remembering youpatrina <")>><

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere

The Attacker (5/15/09)

The sun was just peeking from the Eastern skies.

Out in the prison’s yard, some huge Sheriff’s buses were illuminated by the soft glow coming from the lights all over from the tall lamp posts. Their engines were turned on, warming up, before the buses would take the inmates to the different courts where they would have their trials.

Orange-uniformed men were lined up in pairs, joined together with handcuffs and chained, forming a long line. They already had their breakfast and had their morning medications prior to going to courts. Some were fidgeting, as they waited to board those buses.

All of a sudden, all hell broke loose! Two men were engaged in a fight, using weapons they made secretly for a while. Deputies called for help on the radio, both for custody back-up and medical staff, as well.

When the air was cleared and the other inmates were secured, one man was down on the floor. He sustained multiple gashes but two of them were deep. One cut was vertically etched from his left ear going down to the jaw line. The other dangerous cut was horizontal on his left neck, close to the jugular vein. Pool of blood dripped all over the floor. Holding his bleeding neck, he was pointing at the other inmate few feet away, being guarded by the other deputies.

The other man being accused was not hurt. There were no lacerations nor any other signs of trauma. He was obviously very agitated as he was being questioned by those deputies, while the medical staff started treating the other man on the floor. They cleaned the wounds and controlled the bleeding. That man was sent to the nearby hospital.

When the investigation was finalized, it turned out to be that the “downed man who was accusing the other inmate” was the attacker and the other one who didn’t have injury was the one attacked. The deputies found out that it was the second attempt to attack the unhurt man. Both attacks on him failed. He was well-prepared after the first attempt on him, that when the second attempt was done, he was able to defend himseld and ended up injuring his attacker severely.

[Source: Life Application Bible]:

We also have an “accuser of the brethren.” Satan and his army of demons are the enemies of God and of everything good.

“Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death.” –Hebrews 2:14

Because of what Jesus had done [dying on the cross], we, who live in constant fear of death shouldn’t be afraid anymore. Jesus had freed us from that fear so we can live for Him. When we belong to God, we know that death is only the portal that leads into “eternal life”. [“Thank You Lord!].

Paul warned us, too that we also battle against the evil forces of Satan, who is a vicious fighter. But to be able to withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor. We face an army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, they become our enemies. They will try any device to turn us away from the Lord.

Fear not! For God has provided His supernatural power to defeat Satan and his army, through His Holy Spirit within us. So, arm yourselves with God’s armor.

Let us be strong in the Lord's mighty power. Let's put on His whole armor to resist the enemy's attacks: put on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that we are well-prepared. We will need faith in every battle as our shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed by Satan and his army. Let us put on salvation as our helmet, not forgetting the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Let's pray at all times, on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. We must stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for all Christians everywhere. [Ephesians 6:10-18].